DALLAS -- The Portland Trail Blazers continued their own personal version of "Groundhog Day" Tuesday night in Dallas.

Another day. Another game. Another forgettable first-half performance.

Another disheartening loss.

But unlike that classic comedy, this version isn't all that funny.

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Blazers 111-102 at American Airlines Center, sending them back to Portland after a winless two-game Texas trip in search of answers and reeling from another painful defeat.

"This game was very similar to the last few we've played," coach Terry Stotts said. "Get off to a slow start, get down at halftime, make a good comeback and fall short. And I think we're all getting tired of it."

The Blazers (13-11) have lost three in a row, six of seven and eight of their last 11 games overall as their defense continues to struggle, their depth continues to falter and their will continues to be tested. The season isn't even 25 games old, but as the losses mount and that red-hot start to the season fades into the distance, there's an unmistakable feeling flowing through the Blazers' locker room: Desperation

"We're not performing well," CJ McCollum said. "Need to get a win in the worst way possible. So I would say we're pretty desperate right now at this point."

ANOTHER AWFUL START

Like so many of their games during this forgettable stretch, the Blazers didn't show up until it was too late.

After a back-and-forth first few minutes, the Mavericks outscored the Blazers 17-3 to end the first quarter, snatching an early 14-point lead that looked all too familiar to Blazers fans. By halftime, the Mavericks led 60-45 and had done what seemingly everyone does against the Blazers these days: Score 60 points, shoot well and carry a comfy cushion into the second half.

It was the sixth time in the last eight games an opponent has scored 60 or more points in the first half against the Blazers.

The Blazers' defense, which allowed Dallas to shoot 50 percent in the first half and more or less do what it wanted to, finally woke up at halftime. But it was too little, too late on a night the offense lacked cohesion and flow.

TOP PERFORMERS

Luka Doncic recorded 21 points and nine rebounds, Wesley Matthews added 17 points against his former team and DeAndre Jordan recorded his 14th double-double of the season (12 points and 17 rebounds) for the Mavericks (12-10), who won for the ninth time in the last 11 games.

Damian Lillard recorded 33 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Blazers, who shot 45 percent from the field, including a paltry 29 percent from three-point range.

IT WAS OVER WHEN

After a forgettable opening three quarters, the Blazers made things interesting down the stretch, trimming a 19-point deficit down to six in the final two minutes.

But Doncic, the rookie sensation, put an end to the threat with a clutch three-pointer with 58.9 seconds left.

Lillard brought the Blazers to within 105-99 with 1:20 left, when he finished a rebound layup. On the ensuing possession, the Mavericks ran a little clock off, then worked the ball to Doncic on the wing and the rookie swished a dagger three.

Afterward, he back-peddled smiling down the court with his arms extended high as the sellout Dallas crowd went nuts.

The Blazers missed back-to-back shots on the other end, lost a jump ball and then Dennis Smith Jr. put an exclamation point on the Dallas win with a monster dunk in transition.

"We fought," Lillard said. "But same old story."

FRUSTRATION MOUNTING?

The Blazers continue to say all the right things. They insist this is merely a bad stretch that all teams go through. They note that the Western Conference is ridiculous competitive and they remain in the thick of the chase despite their shoddy play.

But it seemed like frustrations -- and emotions -- were as high Tuesday as they've been all season, reaching a crescendo midway through the third quarter when the Mavericks were cruising and the Blazers struggling.

With 7:55 left in the quarter, Al-Farouq Aminu was whistled for a technical foul for arguing a no call with Ed Malloy. Thirty five seconds later, Moe Harkless also earned a technical for arguing with Malloy.

THIS AND THAT

The Blazers committed 19 turnovers that led to 22 Dallas points, sabotaging themselves with an array of poor passes, illegal screens and individual foibles. Lillard had a game-high six and Jusuf Nurkic had four. ... After missing Sunday's loss at San Antonio with left Achilles tendon inflammation, Evan Turner returned against the Mavericks, recording 13 points, five rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes. ... McCollum (2 of 8) and Lillard (2 of 8) combined to shot just 4 of 15 from three-point range. The Blazers' shot just 29 percent (7 of 24) as a team. ... Aminu finished with his fourth double-double (12 points, 13 rebounds). ... Matthews also drew a technical foul in the second quarter.

NEXT UP

The Blazers return to the Moda Center for a quick two-game home stand that opens with the Phoenix Suns at 7 p.m. on Thursday. It's the first of three meetings between the teams this season.